“Be”

I’m convinced that God really does know us individually. He knows our desires, hopes, needs, strengths and weaknesses. I was reminded of this conviction on my morning walk today. I went later in the morning than usual, (in fact I almost didn’t go) but was immensely blessed for stepping outside.

Blessing one: The beautiful, bright, clear blue sky! I grew up in a valley that was plagued by winter inversions, where it felt like you never saw the sun from November till mid-April. This was part of why when my husband and I had a choice to move to Saint George, we came in a heartbeat. I have always loved the warmth, and to feel the sunshine on my face and see the sky and to realize it’s February just hit me in a most amazing way today. I absolutely love my home in Saint George!

Blessing Two: Realizing, (again!) the incredible trust my God has in me. I’ve been working very hard on a couple of projects that have unknown outcomes. It has stretched me, stretched my relationships and has been an incredible ride so far. But this morning I was questioning what the outcome was supposed to be. I guess I wanted feedback- perhaps a baby-step “You’re doing just fine, keep up the good work,” sort of feedback. I’m impatient at times. I wasn’t doubting that my work was valuable, just wanted a little hand-holding, and I didn’t receive the quick reassurance I expected. And then I heard the message – “You must create it first! You are capable. Create it as you want it. I trust you. Then you’ll receive feedback.” This was one of those moments where truth hits deeply, and suddenly all doubt leaves. What’s absolutely fun is that I know that message is true. We must actively create our lives, trust ourselves to make beneficial choices, and always be humble enough to receive feedback along our journey.

Blessing Three: Music. Sometimes on my morning walks I choose upbeat music to motivate me to move faster. Today I chose Spa Suite Radio on Pandora that I usually play for clients at my office. It was exactly what I needed to calm my heart, bring renewed conviction, and allow me to see past a few moments of weakness I experienced this week. Music is magical, and I love the way it speaks to my soul. It always has. Part of this soul-speak comes from my dad.

I’m sentimental about my memories with my dad and one memory in particular has been replaying frequently the last few days. When I was about 13 or 14 my dad took my older two brothers and I on a white water river trip near Moab, UT. We took the scenic route home (the really LONG 6-hours-out-of-the-way scenic route). I’ll never forget the moment. The sun was starting to set and dad stopped the car at a cliff-side viewpoint to take in the sunset. The view was completely unobstructed by roadways; just earth and sky. My dad started playing Neil Diamond’s Jonathon Livingston Seagull album, particularly “Be”:

“Lost, On a painted sky, Where the clouds are hung, For the poet’s eye You may find him, If you may find him There, On a distant shore, By the wings of dreams, through an open doorYou may know him, If you may…”

My dad was BIG into sound & music from every genre, (one of his first jobs was a radio DJ), and was all about creating experiences that his children wouldn’t forget. There on that cliff watching that gorgeous full painted sky, listening to the message of belief, gratitude and soaring, blaring so loudly that I literally felt it in every fiber of me, was a truly indescribable moment. We saw the painted sky and I knew on such a deep level of the greatness we each have within us, & of the greatness I had within myself.

When I chose the theme of my business, “Simply Be who you are”, I actually didn’t realize the name of the song from this memory; “Be”. But it has come back full circle. It is time to Be, Simply Be…who you are. Examine the greatness within yourself and allow it to grow and blossom. “And the one God will make for your way.”

JONATHAN LIVINGSTON SEAGULL Written by Neil Diamond

BE

Lost On a painted sky Where the clouds are hung For the poet’s eye You may find him If you may find him

There On a distant shore By the wings of dreams Through an open door You may know him If you may

Be As a page that aches for a word Which speaks on a theme that is timeless While the Sun God will make for your day Sing As a song in search of a voice that is silent And the one God will make for your way

And we dance To a whispered voice Overheard by the soul Undertook by the heart And you may know it If you may know it

While the sand Would become the stone Which begat the spark Turned to living bone Holy, holy Sanctus, sanctus

Be As a page that aches for a word Which speaks on a theme that is timeless While the Sun God will make for your day Sing As a song in search of a voice that is silent And the one God will make for your way

Located at: 225 North Bluff, Suite 21 St. George, UT 84790 You can also call or text (435)-467-9010